Investors have often sought out the relative safety of investing in precious metals during times of stock market volatility. While investing in only one particular vehicle is ill-advised, including precious metals in your portfolio can help create a foundation for consistent long-term growth. Unfortunately, including silver, or other precious metals like gold, platinum, rhodium or palladium in your investment portfolio could present a challenge if you are unfamiliar or inexperienced with commodity investing.

Open a brokerage account. The most logical and appropriate location for your securities is within an ordinary brokerage account. Contact a brokerage firm, an investment representative or certified financial planner and discuss opening an account. Complete the necessary paperwork to open an account.

Research stocks, mutual funds and exchange-traded funds that invest in silver. Gather as much relevant information as possible about the silver securities you are considering purchasing. Examine the information and eliminate the volatile, under-performing or otherwise undesirable candidates.

Choose your allocation and diversification. Consider your current financial situation, time horizon and risk tolerance. This can help you figure out how much of your overall investment portfolio should be comprised of silver securities.

Purchase stock shares. Transfer money to your new brokerage account and instruct the firm to acquire the silver stocks you chose in the quantities and amounts you determined earlier.

Tip

Enlist the services of a licensed stockbroker or certified financial planner. While you are likely to have to pay for the assistance of an industry professional, the insight and expertise of a broker can help give you the best chance of building a profitable portfolio.

Warnings

Do not invest money you can't afford to lose. Before opening a brokerage account, or before purchasing any securities, make sure that your ability to provide for yourself and your family is secured with proper emergency reserve funds and insurance policies.

Past performance does not guarantee future results. Regardless of how well a stock performed in the past, there is no way to ensure it will continue performing that way. There is always the possibility that you will lose some, or all, of the money you invest.

Do not spend all your money buying precious metals stocks. Despite positive research or public opinion, you should spread your investment money across multiple industries, sectors and types of securities.

Resources

About the Author

Gregory Gambone is senior vice president of a small New Jersey insurance brokerage. His expertise is insurance and employee benefits. He has been writing since 1997. Gambone released his first book, "Financial Planning Basics," in 2007 and continues to work on his next industry publication. He earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University.